Madison County early voting moving to satellite sites beginning Monday

Many races contested in March 20 primary

Scott Cousins, scousins@thetelegraph.com

Updated
12:43 pm CST, Saturday, March 3, 2018

Jason Fernandez, of Troy, prepares to take his ballot back for tallying at the Madison County Clerk’s Office on the first day of early voting, Feb. 8. Monday, early voting is set to expand to numerous satellite offices throughout the county.

Jason Fernandez, of Troy, prepares to take his ballot back for tallying at the Madison County Clerk’s Office on the first day of early voting, Feb. 8. Monday, early voting is set to expand to numerous satellite offices throughout the county.

Madison County early voting moving to satellite sites beginning Monday

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Madison County Clerk’s Office is gearing up for off-site early voting as the March 20 primary election draws closer.

As of Friday morning, County Clerk Debra Ming-Mendoza reported 374 ballots cast at the County Clerk’s Office, and approximately 340 mail-in ballots received.

Beginning Monday, early voting will expand to numerous satellite locations. Ming-Mendoza said workers were getting those sites ready and everything was in good shape for the continuation of early voting. Sites include:

There are more than 500 possible ballot combinations for the primary, in large part because of the precinct committeeman elections.

One issue still awaiting resolution is whether Edwardsville Mayor Hal Patton, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the 56th District Illinois Senate seat being vacated by state Sen. Bill Haine, is eligible to run in the primary, although his name remains on the ballot.

An objection to Patton’s candidacy was upheld by a Chicago circuit court, and has been appealed. The Illinois Supreme Court declined to issue a ruling, sending it back to the First District Appellate Court in Chicago for consideration.

The issue stems from an objection to Patton’s candidacy after he signed a petition for a Democratic candidate for state office. He had signed election petitions for state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville. According to Illinois state law, a person cannot sign petitions for different parties.

A hearing officer for the State Board of Elections had recommended Patton be removed from the ballot but he was initially allowed to stay on after the state board voted 4-3 to remove him. Five votes were needed for the objection to be upheld.

The objector, Charles Yancey, of Bethalto, then filed the case in Cook County and a judge ruled against Patton.

In statewide races, voters must choose between eight candidates for governor (six Democrat and two Republican) and 10 candidates for attorney general (eight Democrat and two Republican). Both Democratic and Republican candidates for Secretary of State, Comptroller and Treasurer are all unopposed.

In Congressional races, two Democrats are running to oppose the winner of a race between Republican incumbent Mike Bost by challenger Preston Nelson in the 12th District. The winners of those races will also face Green Party candidate Randy Auxier. Five Democrats are attempting to unseat Republican incumbent Rodney Davis in the 13th District. And two Democrats are vying to challenge Republican incumbent John Shimkus in the 15th District.

In addition to the 56th District Senate race, voters must also consider several other general assembly races, as well as county-wide elected officials, county board races and precinct committeeman races.

The only referendum on the ballot is a county-wide sales tax to help fund local schools. A similar referendum failed in the November 2016 elections and a similar proposal had been overwhelmingly rejected by voters in 2011.

If approved, the tax would be in addition to existing sales taxes, and would generate an estimated $22 million annually, which would be distributed to local schools based on student population.